Need help/advice for parents wanting to rent

[DVCTigger]

Long time member here, looking for advice. My parents (in 80s) have spent every winter at the campground for the last 10 years or so. At the age now where they don't want to pull the trailer anymore, but with the AP incentive last year, they have through January to use their passes. I mentioned renting points and they were excited to try that option for 3-4 weeks. They tried this morning and got a response that said every DVC resort is already sold out on points...... but I'm a travel agent and I can book you direct that wasn't the response we were hoping for. And I can see that every resort isn't sold out. Besides, it just opened up! Some days are unavailable, but why wouldn't they work with them instead of saying sorry? Any advice from those that may have been in a similar situation?

 

[kristenrice]

Points and cash inventory are two different things. Rooms that are available to be booked on cash are either being rented out by CRO to cover an exchange (i.e. someone used points to book a cruise and so DVC needs to rent out those point via CRO to pay for the cruise) or they are part of the inventory that has not been declared yet (i.e. points at the Poly that have not been sold yet cannot be used for a room).

DVC rooms available for points in January have been bookable since February for home resort owners. The first two weeks of January still fall into the "busy" season for DVC so it is not surprising that there is not availability at this point.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Rental agencies aren't going to look, say "oh, Tuesday isn't available but we can book Monday and Wednesday." Rentals also will not waitlist.

 

[Firepath]

If they like the campground perhaps they could check into renting an RV which would meet them there. I know it sounds odd to rent if they already have one, but at least they wouldn't have to tow it. I recall seeing info on renting RVs in the campgrounds forum.

 

[kniquy]

Or maybe look at one of the closer condos or homes - If they are staying that long, my guess is it would be significantly less expensive than staying at DVC. Unfortunately, when you are talking about planning 3-4 weeks at a DVC for between now and January - you are already late because people book 11 months out. this is especially true for the time between sept and early January, which is DVC high demand season. DVC opens up all resorts to all member 7 months out so right now that would be into January now. There are cabins at ft wilderness, but probably pretty pricy. If they need to be on property then a value resort or maybe they could try a different resort each week. I also think the idea of renting an RV might be a good option, if don't want the hassle of setting up, having an RV delivered/set up alleviates that problem.

 

[kboo]

Have you helped them look into the rent/trade boards here? There are some members renting large amounts of points, and may be able to get them into SSR or OKW. Private rentals cut out the middle person, and are much easier.

 

[CarolMN]

I just checked January 9 - the end of the month. There are still several resorts that have that entire time open for studios and 1 bedrooms. Check out our DIS DVC Rent/Trade Board or a broker (recommend our sponsor, www.dvcrequest.com). If your parents are even a little flexible, they should be able to get something on site for points. Good luck!

P.S. The first week of January would be a problem due to the Marathon - most of the nights around that have been sold out for some time. We are now in the 7 month window for January, so there definitely should be something that will meet their needs if the January arrival date is flexible and they are willing to commit now.

 

[Mrs.Milo]

Would Bonnet Creek be an option for them?

 

[maburke]

Long time member here, looking for advice. My parents (in 80s) have spent every winter at the campground for the last 10 years or so. At the age now where they don't want to pull the trailer anymore, but with the AP incentive last year, they have through January to use their passes. I mentioned renting points and they were excited to try that option for 3-4 weeks. They tried this morning and got a response that said every DVC resort is already sold out on points...... but I'm a travel agent and I can book you direct that wasn't the response we were hoping for. And I can see that every resort isn't sold out. Besides, it just opened up! Some days are unavailable, but why wouldn't they work with them instead of saying sorry? Any advice from those that may have been in a similar situation?

Someone has posted here before about a vendor advertising dvc rentals, but really being in the travel agency business trying to book the hotels. Maybe that's the one they got.

 

[Minniesgal]

If you are a member use your RAt to define exactly what they want that is available and get them to request that.

With the rental agencies there are two kinds of not available there is room is avilable on points but we don't have the points to book it in that case try another agency who may have more points. Otherwise the room can be unavailable on points in which case no rental agency can help.

Renting takes more work than booking for cash and needs a bit of back and forward. Just keep at it but work with rooms you know are available.

 

[crisi]

If you are a member use your RAt to define exactly what they want that is available and get them to request that.

With the rental agencies there are two kinds of not available there is room is avilable on points but we don't have the points to book it in that case try another agency who may have more points. Otherwise the room can be unavailable on points in which case no rental agency can help.

Renting takes more work than booking for cash and needs a bit of back and forward. Just keep at it but work with rooms you know are available.

And the first kind of not available "room available but we don't have anyone with points" is complex. If you are looking for a large number of points - for a three or four week stay - the agency will need to have someone who wants to rent that many points. So someone who has an extra 120 points isn't going to do it. When you are looking for a large number of points as a renter, you are in a pool with all the other renters who want larger numbers - a pool that has far fewer members able to meet those requests. When you want to rent a studio for a week in Adventure Season, then nearly anyone who is looking to rent points can fill your request - including those with lots of points (if they want to bother with several reservations).

Right now it appears brokers have more people looking to rent points than members who aren't going to use their own points.

 

[CarolMN]

.......(snip)........Right now it appears brokers have more people looking to rent points than members who aren't going to use their own points.

Agree. Some of the brokers just increased the amount they are offering owners for their points ($13.50 - $14.50). So either rental prices are going up shortly or the brokers will be seeing lower margins.

 

[crisi]

Agree. Some of the brokers just increased the amount they are offering owners for their points ($13.50 - $14.50). So either rental prices are going up shortly or the brokers will be seeing lower margins.

Ten years ago when we were wondering if rental rates would ever budge above the $10-12 per point range, I wouldn't have guessed that the broker market would drive it. But it consolidates the pricing and changes the market dynamics significantly. Without brokers I don't think we'd have moved this much.